A mother has issued a stark warning about the dangers of chiropractic treatment after her 20-year-old son died from a stroke caused by a neck adjustment. The tragedy occurred when the young man, who was previously healthy, sought treatment for a minor complaint. The chiropractor's forceful twisting of his neck caused a traumatic rupture of the left vertebral artery, leading to his death.
This case is not isolated. Chiropractic manipulation, particularly of the neck, has been linked to strokes in patients with no prior health issues. The technique involves rapid rotation and twisting of the head, a manoeuvre considered so dangerous on the rugby field that it results in an immediate red card. Yet, it remains a common practice in chiropractic clinics across the UK.
In a separate incident, 80-year-old John Lawler died after a chiropractic session for lower back pain. He lost consciousness during treatment and later died from a traumatic spinal cord injury. The chiropractor, Dr Arleen Scholten, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the hospital alerted police. The family had not made a complaint.
Chiropractic was founded in the late 19th century by Daniel David Palmer, who claimed to have received his insights 'from another world'. He invented a condition called 'subluxation', a supposed joint misalignment that no X-ray has ever detected. Many doctors regard chiropractic as 'dangerous quackery', yet it is available on the NHS in some areas.
NHS Choices states that chiropractic is 'generally very safe when performed correctly', but acknowledges a risk of stroke, albeit 'extremely small'. However, critics argue that the evidence of harm is mounting. Preston Long, a former chiropractor who performed over 10,000 evaluations, wrote in his book 'Chiropractic Abuse: An Insider's Lament' that many patients who swear by the treatment may not actually be helped.
